If convicted of the charges in Miami, Bieber could face jail time of up to six months, although experts say he will likely get off with a lighter sentence for his first offense.

He was spotted by police in the early morning on 23 January in a yellow Lamborghini alongside another driver, aspiring R&B singer Khalil Sharieff, in a rented red Ferrari drag racing on a four-lane road in a residential area a few blocks from Miami Beach's South Beach tourist and night life district.

Two SUVs had blocked off the road so Bieber could race Sharieff, police said.

Bieber was driving the sports car 88 to 96km per hour in a 48 kph according to police.

Bieber, who is one of the top celebrities on Twitter with nearly 50 million followers, told police he had taken prescription medicine, had been smoking marijuana and had consumed alcohol.

Roy Black, the high-profile criminal defence attorney who has represented actor Kelsey Grammer, as well as radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, will represent Bieber in the case.